Social Studies
"ParentVision" Newsletter
2016-2017 2nd Six Weeks
What is National History Day (NHD)?
National History Day motivates students to discover history by:
- Cultivating interest: students research a topic of their choice
- Developing research skills: students act as historians discovering how to uncover primary sources, build historical context and form historical interpretations
- Becoming experts on their research topic: presenting their research to teachers, students, and historians
- Achieving success: The shy student gains confidence when speaking about a topic he/she has researched, The apathetic student gains passion by choosing a topic of personal interest, and The high achieving student increases his/her ability to articulate learning through presentation.
See student product examples at:
http://www.nhd.org/contest-affiliates/examples/#toggle-id-1
For more information vist NHD at http://www.nhd.org/ and Texas State Historical Information (TSHA) at https://tshaonline.org/education/students/texas-history-day/home
The following information contains kinder through high school-social studies
unit overviews, key vocabulary and related words. The 2nd six weeks runs September 26 through November 4, 2016.
Source for unit overview components by content area: TEKS Resource System
Kinder
Our School Community
Unit Overview
During this unit, students begin to develop spatial reasoning skills by learning about basic school geography. Students also learn about the daily routines of school and begin to use chronology to examine the school day and school calendar.
Key Vocabulary
relative location – the position of a place in relationship to another place
chronology – putting events in order by when they happened
Related Vocabulary
- community
- timeline
- pledge
First Grade
Unit Overview
During this unit, students study about the characteristics of good citizenship and the role of citizens in a constitutional republic, including the importance of voting.
Key Vocabulary
citizen – a member of a community, state, or nation who respects the rules of the community
justice – acting with fairness to others
constitutional republic – a government where the officials are elected by the people and have to follow the rules in a constitution
voting – expressing a choice as a way to make a decision
Related Vocabulary
- community
- responsibility
- government
2nd Grade
Unit Overview
During this unit, students learn about how good citizens contribute to the community and how citizens exhibit civic pride in the community. Additionally, students continue to practice their spatial skills by creating maps related to the community.
Key Vocabulary
citizen – a member of a community, state, or nation who respects the rules of the community
justice – acting with fairness to others
civic pride – a spirit of caring for your community
customs – a habit that is common to a group or a place
Related Vocabulary
- community
- historical figures
- pledge
- monument
3rd Grade
Traveling About the Community
Unit Overview
During this unit students study about how to use maps and globes as tools, about the human geographic characteristics of communities, and about the cultural heritage of communities. A comparison of the human geographic characteristics of the local community, Texas, the United States, and other global communities provides students with an understanding of human geographic patterns.
Key Vocabulary
map – a drawing of the earth’s surface on a flat paper
globe – a model of the earth that shows geographic information
compass rose – a symbol used on maps to show directions
Related Vocabulary
- human characteristics
- physical characteristics
- place
4th Grade
Unit Overview
During this unit students study about which American Indian groups lived in Texas and about how physical geography affected the lives of American Indians in Texas. Students learn about the migration history of the American Indians, the types of economic activities they engaged in, how they adapted to the environment, and the characteristics of governments they established.
Key Vocabulary
barter – exchanging a good or service for a good or service
nomadic – moving from one place to another without a permanent home
sedentary – remaining in one place
economic system – process created to manage the production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services
political system – process created to govern societies
adapt – to become accustomed to the conditions
modify – to make changes to the current conditions
Related Vocabulary
- physical characteristics
- human characteristics
- hunter and gatherer
- physical environment
European Exploration and Mission Life
Unit Overview
During this unit, students study about the motivations of those who explored Texas and the Spanish policy of building missions in an effort to colonize Texas. Additionally students examine how the policy of mission building affected settlement patterns in Texas along with the lifestyles of those living in the missions.
Key Vocabulary
exploration – traveling to new territories for the purpose of discovery
colonization – state-sponsored settlement of people to new territories
migration – movement from one region to another
mission – a settlement founded to spread Christianity to the people in the area
presidio – a military post or guarded settlement in an area under Spanish control
Related Vocabulary
- settlement patterns
- immigration
GREAT IDEAS!
Delve into history with activities that will make history come alive for your child!
Social Studies Activities:
- Visit http://www.education.com/activity/social-studies/ and view activities that will spark your child's curiosity about past events.
Source: education.com
- Other activities can be found at: https://kids.usa.gov/parents/social-studies/index.shtml
Source: Kids.gov
- The Bullock Museum offers free student activity guides. Visit http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/education/educators/activity-guides for more information.
Source: The Bullock Museum http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/
5th Grade
Unit Overview
During this unit, students address the America Revolution and its effects. The rising tensions between colonists and British officials eventually erupted into a war for independence. Students study about the causes of the American Revolution, the contributions of Americans to fighting the revolution, and the need for creating a united government for the colonies.
Key Vocabulary
taxation – process of collecting money from citizens in order to fund government expenses
political revolution – changing from one governmental structure to another
Patriots – American colonists who supported independence from Great Britain
Loyalists – American colonists who did not support independence from Great Britain
grievance – a complaint
boycott – to refuse to buy goods
militia – a military force of volunteers
mercenaries – a soldiers who are paid to fight for a country they are not from
Related Vocabulary
- independence
- leader
- minutemen
A New Nation: Founding of the United States
Unit Overview
This unit addresses the events related to the writing of the U.S. Constitution and the creation of a government for the United States. A study the U.S. Constitution is important for understanding the political system that protects the freedoms and liberties of U.S. citizens.
Key Vocabulary
citizenship – membership in a society that comes with rights and duties
constitutional republic – a government in which representatives are chosen by the people and whose power is limited by a constitution
checks and balances – a system in which the limits are placed on the branches of government, so no one branch becomes too powerful
federal system – a government where power is shared between a national centralized government and the smaller state governments
compromise – an agreement between opposing parties
Related Vocabulary
- statehood
- amendment
- ratification
- veto
- Federalists
- Anti-Federalists
- political party
6th Grade
Unit Overview
In this unit students learn about the United States and Canada as a culture region. This region is characterized by multicultural societies with political and economic institutions that value the freedom of citizens. The region’s culture is dominated by the use of English and reflects the influences of a common historical pattern of colonization and immigration. In this unit, students refine an understanding of a culture region and how the construct of region helps geographers examine the world. Students also examine the physical geography of the United States and Canada along with studying how a history of colonization and immigration influences cultural patterns in the region. Additionally students examine the political and economic systems of the United States and Canada with an emphasis on how these institutions reflect a culture that values freedom.
Key Vocabulary
- diversity – exhibiting a variety of types
- multiculturalism – the preservation of different cultures or cultural identities within a unified society
- migration – movement from one region to another
- indigenous – groups that are native to a particular region
- free enterprise – economic system characterized by freedom for consumers and producers
- wholesale industries – the business of selling products to retailers
- retail industries – businesses that sell directly to consumers
- manufacturing – businesses that produce consumer products
- service industries – businesses that provide labor intensive work rather than producing a product
Related Vocabulary
- Québécois
- colonization
- bicameral
- Francophone
- institutions
- limited government
- immigration
A Legacy of Colonialism: Latin America
Unit Overview
In this unit students study Latin America as a culture region. Latin American culture has been shaped by the process of cultural diffusion facilitated by colonialism, the Columbian Exchange, and the forced migration of Africans. This region is characterized by a cultural blending of traditions from indigenous populations, Africans, and Europeans. The region is also dominated by the use of Spanish and Portuguese and the traditions of Roman Catholicism. In this unit students examine Latin America’s physical geographic patterns, the human geographic characteristics of the region prior to colonization, and the process of cultural diffusion in the region with an emphasis on how the legacy of colonialism influenced the creation of a unique cultural pattern in the region.
Key Vocabulary
- demography – the study of human population in terms of numbers, especially birth rates, death rates, ethnic composition, age and gender distributions
- cultural diffusion – the process of spreading cultural traits from one region to another
- Columbian Exchange –an interchange of plants, animals, disease, people, and culture between the Western and Eastern hemispheres following the voyages of Columbus
- deforestation – clearing forests to use the area for other purposes
- renewable resource – refers to a natural resource that can be replenished naturally
- non-renewable resource – refers to natural resources that cannot be remade or replenished
Related Vocabulary
- indigenous
- mural
- natural resources
- colonization
- mulattos
- ladinos
7th Grade-Texas History
Unit Overview
During this unit, students study about the events related to Mexican independence from Spain and the implementation of the land grant system by the Mexican government as a means of colonizing Texas. Additionally students study about how the efforts of Mexican officials to control immigrants from the United States in Texas resulted in growing tensions.
Key Vocabulary
filibuster – an adventurer who engages in private rebellious activity in a foreign country
empresario – an agent who makes all the arrangements to bring settlers to a colony
immigration – the movement of people from one place to settle in another place
Tejano – the unique cultural blending of Spanish and American traditions in Texas
Related Vocabulary
- land grant
- constitution
- annexation
- revolution
- colonization
Unit 5 Unrest and Revolt in Texas – 1821-1836
Unit Overview
During this unit, students study about the attempts by Mexican officials to control the settlers in Texas, the changes in the Mexican government that effected Texans, and the events of the Texas Revolution.
Key Vocabulary
federalists – those in Mexico who supported the establishment of a federal system of government like that in the United States
centralists – those in Mexico who favored a strong central government with power concentrated among a few leaders
revolution – a movement to bring about change
siege – surrounding a fortification to cut it off from supplies
delegate – a person acting as a representative for others
republic – type of government with elected representatives
courier – a messenger generally delivering correspondence
treaty – an agreement between national governments
Related Vocabulary
- ad interim
- provisional
- war council
- retreat
- reinforcements
- cavalry
8th Grade-US History to 1877
Unit Overview
During this unit, students analyze the causes of the American Revolution and the contributions made by significant individuals during the revolutionary era. Students evaluate the varying points of view the colonists held in regards to declaring independence as well as analyzing the Declaration of Independence and studying the course of the revolutionary war.
Key Vocabulary
boycott – refusal to buy something as a form of protest
taxation – process of collecting money from citizens in order to fund government expenses
political revolution – changing from one governmental structure to another
Patriots – American colonists who supported independence from Great Britain
Loyalists – American colonists who did not support independence from Great Britain
civil disobedience – refusal to obey laws as a form of protest
grievance – a complaint
Related Vocabulary
- independence
- unalienable rights
- liberty
- mercantilism
- Parliament
- quartering
Writing the Constitution – Creating a More Perfect Union 1783-1791
Unit Overview
In this unit students examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation along with the issues, debate, and compromises that emerged during the Constitutional Convention. Additionally students examining examples of how the U.S. Constitution reflects the seven constitutional principles and addresses colonial grievances as well as the process for amending the Constitution.
Key Vocabulary
confederation – an alliance of states created for a common purpose
compromise – an agreement between opposing parties
constitution – document outlining the fundamental principles and structures of a government
ratification – approval of a document or policy
amendment – an addition to a document
sovereignty – independent power
federalism – political system in which power is shared between a national centralized government and a collection of smaller state governments
Related Vocabulary
- compromise
- grievance
- limited government
- bicameral
- republicanism
- popular sovereignty
- individual rights
- checks and balances
- separation of powers
High School-US History since 1877
Unit Overview
During this unit, students learn about how reform leaders, referred to as “progressives,” tried to bring about social and political change at the local, state, and national level. Students should not only study the reforms that were made during the Progressive Era, but also examine the changing relationship between business and government and the increase in political participation that both characterized this time period.
Key Vocabulary
muckraker – term used to describe early a twentieth century journalist who worked to expose corruption and abuses in politics and society
reform – making changes to address abuses or injustices
progressives – refers to those who advocate making reforms to the social and political status quo
suffrage – the right to vote
recall – political procedure used to remove elected officials from office prior to the end of their term
referendum – political procedure in which the elector votes directly on a legislative measure
initiative – political procedure where votes can propose a legislative measure directly for a popular vote
Related Vocabulary
- civic
- Populism
- monetary policy
Emergence as a World Power – Spanish-American and First World War 1898-1920
Unit Overview
In this unit students examine the rise of the United States into the position of a world power at the beginning of the twentieth century. While the causes of the First World War are reviewed in this unit, the primary focus of study involves examining U.S. entry into the First World War as well as U.S. actions in the war (1917-1918). Students also study the varying points of view regarding the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Though the results of the treaty (change in political boundaries in Europe and payment of repartitions) should be reviewed, the focus is on Wilson’s Fourteen Points and the debate regarding the League of Nations.
Key Vocabulary
expansionism – practice of annexing new territory
foreign policy – actions that relate to the relationships between nations
domestic policy – actions that relate to conditions within a nation
diplomacy – the practice of conducting negotiations between nations
isolationism – policy to remain free from relationships with other nations
annexation – the act of taking in new territory
Related Vocabulary
- Dollar Diplomacy
- Open Door Policy
High School-World History
Emergence and Collapse of Classical Empires 500 BC-600 AD
Unit Overview
During this unit, students study about the growth of more sophisticated political entities, specifically empires that emerged from the core of the River Valley Civilizations. Emphasis is placed on the political, economic and cultural developments as well as legacies of Zhou, Qin, and Han China; Gupta and Mauryan India; Persia; Israel; ancient and classical Greece; the Roman Republic and empire; and the Byzantine Empire. Students study the emergence of the Byzantine Empire as a feature of the decline of the Roman Empire as well as trace Justinian’s Code as a legacy of Roman legal traditions. Students examine how the expansion of empires provided political stability and cultural unity during the time period as well as increased cultural diffusion including the spread of religion. Students also learn about the political, scientific and cultural legacies of the classical civilizations, along with the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty.
Key Vocabulary
- filial piety – respect for one’s elders, parents and ancestors; a feature of Confucianism
- caste system – a strict social stratification system that characterized Hindu society in South Asia
- tyrant – a domineering leader of a Greek city-state that had seized power from a legitimate leader
- oligarchy – rule by a small group, generally of wealthy men
- bureaucracy –administrative offices of a government staffed with non-elected workers
- patricians – upper class of Roman society
- plebeians – commoner social class of Roman society
- Mandate of Heaven –idea that the right to rule was granted to the Chinese Emperor from the gods
- autocratic – refers to rulers who have absolute power
- diffusion –the spread of ideas and products
- latifundia – large agricultural estates owned by wealthy Roman citizens
Related Vocabulary
- empire
- republic
- dynasty
- democracy
- city-state
- plague
- patriarchal
- dynastic cycle
High School-U.S. Government
A Federalist System: A More Perfect Union
Unit Overview
During this unit, students learn about the federalist governmental system created by the Founding Fathers. Students study about the division and sharing of power between federal, state, and local governmental bodies along with comparing the U.S. federalist system with other governmental systems.
Key Vocabulary
unitary system – political system in which all power and authority is centralized in one political body
confederation – a system in which a variety of countries, people, or groups band together for a common purpose
parliamentary system – political system in which a single legislative body, know a parliament, makes and executes the laws
legislative – refers to the branch of government responsible for making laws
executive – refers to the branch of government responsible for the administration of the laws
judicial system – refers to the administration of justice through the courts of law
Related Vocabulary
- federalism
- constitutional republic
- monarchy
- theocracy
- direct democracy
- socialist government
The Branches of Government: Of the People, By the People, For the People
Unit Overview
During this unit students study about the structures and function of each of the branches of government. Students learn about the bicameral legislative branch along with how legislation is created. Students learn about the role of the executive branch, the process for electing the President, and the functions of the federal bureaucracy. Students also learn about the federal judicial system, along with the role the courts play in the protection of individual rights through due process.
Key Vocabulary
Congress – the legislative body of the United States
bureaucracy – the non-elective governmental bodies that administer the operations of the government
judicial review – the power used by the courts to examine the constitutionality of laws
jurisdiction – the right of authority the court has over particular cases or territories
bicameral – a legislative body with two houses or chambers
due process – the application of the law and legal principles for all citizens ensuring the protection of rights
Related Vocabulary
- independent executive agencies
- regulatory commissions
- appeals
- Electoral College
- Cabinet
- legislative
- executive
- judicial
High School-Economics
The Market and Trade
Unit Overview
During this unit, students study about how markets are affected by supply and demand, various market structures, the concepts of absolute and comparative advantage, and free trade in the global market.
Key Vocabulary
market – an arrangement that bring sellers and buyers together for economic transactions
supply – the total amount of goods and services offered for sale at various prices
demand – the total amount of goods and services consumers are willing to buy at various prices
equilibrium price – the price at which the quantity supplied in the market matches the quantity demanded in the market
absolute advantage – condition that occurs when someone can produce goods and services cheaper than another other producers
comparative advantage – condition that occurs when someone can produce at a lower opportunity cost than other producers
specialization – the development of skills and knowledge associated with one job or one area of expertise
pure competition – a market structure characterized by many producers supplying the same product and very few barriers to entry in the market
monopolistic competition – a market structure characterized by many producers supplying similar but varied products with few barriers to entry to the market
oligopoly – a market structure characterized by very few producers supplying similar products with high barriers to entry in the market
monopoly – a market structure characterized by one producer with a unique product and very high barriers to entry in the market
Related Vocabulary
- quantity demanded/ quantity supplied
- imports/exports
- free trade
- trade barriers
- production possibilities curve
- supply schedule
- demand schedule
- market structure
Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth
Unit Overview
During this unit, students study about aspects of business ownership, including types of businesses and business regulations. Additionally students learn about key components of economic growth and how to interpret economic measurements to evaluate economic growth.
Key Vocabulary
entrepreneurship – the willingness and innovation needed to risk starting a business
sole proprietorship – a business owned and managed by a single individual
partnership – a business owned and managed by two or more individuals as co-owners
corporation – a business owned by shareholders and managed by directors and executives
business cycle – a repetitive pattern of growth and decline in economic activity
inflation – a general increase in the price of goods and services
Gross Domestic Product – the market value of all goods and services produced in a country during a specific time period
unemployment – condition in which those seeking jobs are unable to find jobs
productivity – a measure of the efficiency of the production of goods and services
Related Vocabulary
- economic indicators
- ordinances
- innovation
- expansionary period
- contractionary period
- housing starts
- retail sales
- deregulation
- stocks/bonds
High School World Geography
Unit Overview
During this unit, students study the various political systems in the world, the various economic systems in the world, the levels of economic development in the world, the types of regions in the world, and how political, economic, and cultural characteristics interact to define the character of a place.
Key Vocabulary
ocation – a specific point on the Earth’s surface
place – an area distinguished by unique physical and human characteristics
region – a spatial division of the Earth’s surface that shares a common characteristic
formal region – area of the Earth’s surface that is unified by a measurable physical of human characteristic
functional region – area of the Earth’s surface that is defined by an interaction or connectivity
perceptual region – area of the Earth’s surface that is defined by a perception of the people living there or by the general society and may not be based on objective data
cultural landscape – the physical setting created by humans that reflects the identity and culture of the area
free enterprise – economic system in which private individuals own businesses to make profits and economic decisions are made by producers in response to consumer demands
socialist economic system – economic system in which some large-scale business enterprises are government-owned and operated for the benefit of society
communist economic system – economic system in which the means of production are owned by the government for governmental control of the resources
primary economic activities – economic activities focused on the extraction of natural resources
secondary economic activities – economic activities focused on the manufacturing of goods
tertiary economic activities – economic activities focused on the delivery of services
quaternary economic activities – economic activities focused on management, information processing, or research
Related Vocabulary
- theocracy
- republic
- dictatorship
- totalitarianism
- democracy
- monarchy
- more developed
- less developed
- newly developed
United States and Canada
Unit Overview
During this unit, students study about physical region of the United States/Canada, the settlement patterns of the region, the common human patterns of the region, and cultural diffusion to and from the region.
Key Vocabulary
migration – movement from one place to another
demographics – statistical data about human populations
urbanization – the process of increasing human settlement in cities
megalopolis – a very large urban region consisting of several adjoining cities and suburbs
settlement patterns – the spatial distribution of where humans inhabit the Earth
cultural diffusion – process by which culture is spread
cultural convergence – a process of cultures combining and becoming more alike
cultural divergence – a process in which cultural groups distinguish themselves from other culture groups
indigenous – originating in a particular region
multicultural – inclusion of a variety of cultures
Related Vocabulary
- region
- free enterprise
- immigration
- formal region
- functional region
- character of place
- perceptual region
Elida De Leon
Director of Advanced Academics & Social Studies, Hearing Officer, Title IX Coordinator, & Anti Bullying Program Director
Email: elida.deleon@aliceisd.net
Website: http://www.aliceisd.net/
Location: 2 Coyote Trail, Alice, TX, United States
Phone: 361-664-0981